The head of West Midlands Police has met David Cameron to discuss controversial plans for directly-elected police commissioners to oversee forces.

Chris Sims, Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, was summoned to Downing Street along with the leaders of constabularies from across the country.

They met the Prime Minister to hear about plans to replace police authorities with directly-elected commissioners.

Mr Cameron also discussed the importance of controlling spending, as the Government prepares to embark on dramatic budget cuts.

West Midlands Police has already had its budget for the current financial year cut by £7 million, in one of the first decisions announced by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government since winning the election.

Directly elected commissioners have been condemned by West Midlands Police authority, which claims they will politicise the police service.

The Government claims they will force police to pay attention to the concerns of the residents they serve, for example by focusing on tackling anti-social behaviour.

Mr Sims has not expressed any public view on the plans.

But they have been attacked by Labour MP Khalid Mahmood (Perry Barr). He said: “My fear is that you will get a very political police service like you have in London, where Boris Johnson, the mayor, sacked a police chief he didn’t get on with.

“We have had excellent relations between the police and the local community in my constituency under the present arrangements and I want that to continue.”

Bishop Derek Webley, chair of the existing police authority – which an elected commissioner will replace - has warned that a single person would not be able to represent the entire community.

Sir Hugh Orde, the leader of chief police officers, has also threatened to resign if proposals for directly-elected police commissioners become law.

Under the Government’s plans, the chief constable would continue to have operational control of the police.

Ministers have said that chief constables will also be given a greater say in how they spend their budget.

The Downing Street meeting was also attended by Theresa May, the Home Secretary, and Police Minister Nick Herbert.